What We Believe at Grace Church
At Grace Church we believe strongly that all those who are born again can come and worship together in unity, regardless of differences of opinion on a particular issue. Below is a brief list of basic doctrines that we teach and hold to. This list is limited, but it includes doctrines that we believe to be essential.
We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, that the Scriptures are God’s revelation of Himself to mankind.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,” (2 Tim 3:16) “And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.” (1 Thess 2:13-14)
There is one true God, having always existed and who manifest Himself in three persons, the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
“You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. (Isa 43:10)
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” (Matt 28:19)
The deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ is the only Son of God. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, His miracles, crucifixion, death and resurrection and that He now sits at the right hand of His Father.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” (John 1:1-3)
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)
The Salvation of Mankind. Mankind’s only hope of redemption from sin is through the blood of Jesus Christ. All people must be born again to receive salvation.
“without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” (Heb 9:22)
“You must be born again.” (John 3:7)
The Ordinances of the Church
Baptism in Water
“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:16)
Holy Communion, a memorial of Christ’s suffering and death.
“For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” (1 Cor 11:26)
The Baptism in the Holy Spirit. We believe in the baptism with the Holy Spirit as a subsequent gift to salvation, empowering believers for ministry and enabling them to pray in a spiritual prayer language.
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
“And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:4)
“And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off-for all whom the Lord our God will call.” (Acts 2:38-39)
Healing is Part of the Atonement. In Christ’ suffering and death he provided our healing; body, soul and spirit. We believe that God heals today and that we are to pray for the sick.
“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” (1 Peter 2:24)
“Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.” (James 5:14-15)
The Return of the Lord and the Resurrection of the Dead. All Christians who have died will one day rise from their graves and will meet the Lord in the air.
“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” (1 Thess 4:16-17)